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This teacher needs your help!

Ms. Punwani from Washington, DC is requesting technology through DonorsChoose, the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.

See what Ms. Punwani is requesting
Fully Funded

Ms. Punwani's classroom raised $961

Changing Dystopia into Utopia

My students need 4 digital cameras to complete a persuasive campaign that they will present to the local government suggesting ways to improve their neighborhoods.

This project is fully funded

My Students

Have you ever had the ability to escape your world through an amazing book and then returned to reality to see that the world you left wasn't so different from the world in which you currently live? Have you ever thought to explore the roots of these challenges and tried to change them?

My 8th grade students attend an inner-city middle school that is socio-economically and racially mixed.

They are extremely motivated and love learning, especially when they are able to express their creativity and feel as though they are making a difference in their world. My students travel from all over the city to attend our school, which has been known for academic excellence. For some, it provides an opportunity for escaping the cycle of poverty.

My Project

As the world changes, the skills students will need to succeed will include cross-cultural understanding, the ability to communicate using a variety of new technologies, and an understanding of the changing world around them. I have been working with them on a unit called "Changing Dystopia into Utopia" and have taught them about the characteristics of a classic dystopian novel and read The Hunger Games with them. We have explored the themes of hunger, poverty, violence, desensitization, etc. as we have read the book and my students have made connections between that futuristic world and their own neighborhoods. We will be using these digital cameras to explore these themes as they are realized in my students' neighborhoods. Their mission is to put together a multi-media campaign on an issue related to one of the themes in the book that we will then present to city council. With the cameras they will be able to record interviews and photograph powerful images in their neighborhoods.

Often, middle schoolers feel that their voices are not heard at a time when they most need to feel empowered.

A project such as this one can be inspiring and lead those who learn through experience to embrace education. So many of my students come from difficult backgrounds and a project such as this one will give them the means to see that they can make positive changes in their communities. It will also help them become more fluent in new media, which is a skill they will all need to succeed.

Equity Focus

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

102 students impacted 12 donors
Ms. Punwani Rose L Hardy Middle School Grades 6-8

Equity Focus

This project directly supports students at a historically underfunded school. Learn more about our Equity Focus.

This project will directly impact historically underfunded classrooms.

Washington, DC View local requests 102 students impacted 12donors

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Expand the "Where your donation goes" section below to see exactly what Ms. Punwani is requesting.

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TEACHERS, FEELING INSPIRED?

You can start a project with the same resources being requested here!

Where Your Donation Goes

Materials Cost Quantity Total
CAMERA-WATERPROOF -DIGITAL WITH FLASH AND VIDEO CAPTURE-4-PACK • Abilitations, Inc. $664.99 1 $664.99

Materials cost

$664.99

Vendor shipping charges

$66.50

Sales tax

$39.90

3rd party payment processing fee

$9.97

Fulfillment labor & materials

$35.00

Total project cost

$816.36

Suggested donation to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

$144.06

Total project goal

$960.42

How we calculate what's needed

Total project goal

$960.42

10 Donors

-$643.50

Donations toward project cost

-$554.47

Donations to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$89.03

match offer

-$308.11

Match offer toward project cost

-$261.89

Match offer to help DonorsChoose reach more classrooms

-$46.22

Excluded support for DonorsChoose

-$8.82

Still needed View calculationHide calculation

$0.00

Our team works hard to negotiate the best pricing and selections available.

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Project Activity

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